Yesterday we came home with full hearts after another incredible day at the Ritz-Carlton Al Wadi Desert. We've been coming regularly for a year now, sometimes as day guests, sometimes for a staycation, and every single time it's just as magical as the last. Yesterday morning our little son asked if we could spend the day there, because he loves it so much, especially the animals. Oryxes, gazelles, camels, horses, tortoises, wild birds: there is simply so much to experience.
The staff are exceptional, without exception. From the moment you arrive, Darshana and Danso greet you with a warm smile, take care of your luggage and your car and make you feel genuinely welcomed. Yesterday, our son gave them a drawing he'd made as a thank-you. They surprised him in return with a cuddly camel toy named Lulu, something he absolutely did not see coming. As we drove off, he high-fived them through the window. This is exactly the kind of hospitality that turns guests into regulars. Keep it up.
By the pool, everyone lights up when they see Thankgod again. He takes such wonderful care of everyone. The cabanas are the best we've ever experienced, and everything is thoughtfully child-friendly. A special lunch request (just chicken and steamed vegetables) was handled with ease and professionalism.
We've also had exceptional dinners at Kaheela Restaurant. The dishes and quality are truly extraordinary. We've been lucky to meet Chef Rick and his team several times, and it's always inspiring to see the passion with which he runs the restaurant and talks about food. The manti with truffle sauce? I could bathe in it. Easily one of the best dishes I've eaten anywhere in the world. Yesterday we couldn't stay for dinner, but Chef Rick surprised us with a sourdough to take home, so we got to enjoy a little piece of Kaheela in our own kitchen. Köstlich.
The kids' club is another highlight our boys love. The atmosphere is warm and genuinely welcoming. Favour and Reem make every child feel seen, valued, and at home, and that really is what matters most. The activity offering is fantastic: a huge selection of colouring pages, a ball pit for little ones, a PlayStation for older kids, and a great outdoor playground. Our boys never want to leave.
The spa is a treat in every sense, and the rooms are always immaculate and beautifully maintained. Whether you come for a day or stay the night, the standard never slips.
Al Wadi, we'll see you again very soon.